Noting the importance to residents as well as businesses, Chatham-Kent will move ahead with pursuing high-speed Internet connectivity in underserviced rural areas.

Tomo Matesic, president of Entegrus Transmission, presented to council on the issue during Monday’s meeting.

He noted that high-speed access has become a basic service that is needed for all communities, adding the CRTC also promotes this view.

“It isn't just for streaming movies or online gaming,” Matesic said. “We now live in a community where schooling children utilizes the Internet as an integral part of their education … Homework assignments, communicating to the teacher by email.”

There are funding opportunities available through the federal government’s Connect to Innovate program, which has a deadline of April 20.

A total of $500 million is available across the country, with Chatham-Kent being eligible for backbone funding, but not so-called “last mile” funding, which actually connects the customer to the system.

“It's a long-term investment,” Matesic said.

Entegrus is currently developing a business plan with Gosfield North Telecom, of Essex, as well as Chatham's TekSavvy. A new company would be required for the fibre business, Matesic said.

“The grant program has certain stipulations which will restrict how much we can do,” he said. “For instance, we have four years to build all the fibre backbone that we apply for.”

South Kent Coun. Trevor Thompson said connectivity is crucial for business and quality of life.

“High-speed is so important to rural Ontario,” he said.

Mayor Randy Hope admitted that $500 million isn’t a lot of money to cover all of the areas that require high-speed access in Canada.

However, he said it shows the commitment of the federal government to move ahead.

“You look at all the projects across Canada that are going to be fighting for this money,” Hope said. “Hopefully we’re successful in getting our application approved.”

The project scope still needs to be defined, along with the phases that are required. A corporate structure is also needed.

The issue returns to council on April 10, when there will be a recommendation concerning the business plan, along with a possible municipal funding request.

“I want to compliment the team that's been working on this,” Hope said. “It's very complex.”